Synthroid Description

Synthroid is used in the treatment of hypothyroidism. This is a form of medication known as a thyroid hormone. There may be other conditions where Synthroid is a good choice of medication for you and so do not be surprised if your doctor prescribes you this medication for another condition. However you can expect a full explanation for why he or she has done so.

Synthroid Directions

As is the case with all drugs, it is vital that you carefully follow the instructions given to you by your doctor. In most cases this will be written on the label of the medicine bottle or box and you must read this information very carefully. If you do happen to have any questions about how to take this medicine then you should talk to your pharmacist, nurse or doctor and they will be happy to help you. You must not crush, break or chew this medicine and should instead swallow it whole with a glass of water. You should take this medicine on an empty stomach at least one hour before breakfast unless directed by your doctor. There are some medicines such as; calcium, aluminum or magnesium containing antacids, calcium supplements, iron, simethicone, sucralfate, colestipol, cholestyramine, or sodium polystyrene sulfonate that may decrease the way that this medicine is absorbed into the blood. You should take this medicine at least four hours before or after these medicines. Where you keep the medicine is very important and in this case it must be stored at room temperature (77 degrees F) away from the sun and in the bottle or box provided or in an airtight container. You must take the medicine as directed by your doctor and if you can take it at the same time everyday, then that may help you to remember. It is very important that you take this medicine everyday as directed and do not miss a dose, even if you are feeling better. Failure to take your medicine as directed will likely result in the worsening of your symptoms. In the unfortunate scenario that you do forget to take a dose, you must take the missed dose as soon as you remember unless this is near the time of your next dose. In this case you should just forget about the missed dose and carry on with your normal schedule, as you must never take two doses of a single medication at the same time. If you have any concerns then you should contact your pharmacist, nurse or doctor for more information.

Synthroid Cautions

First and foremost you should not take Synthroid if you have experienced an allergic or other adverse reaction to it or any other ingredient that is used in the production of Synthroid. If you are worried that you may have had an adverse reaction to Synthroid in the past then you should discuss this with your doctor. Stopping a medicine suddenly will often result in a worsening of symptoms and side effects and in most cases your doctor will want you to come off a medicine slowly, a process known as tapering. There may be tests that are required by your doctor to check for side effects and/or monitor how effective the medicine is for you, however your doctor will talk to you about what is required. It is important to attend all laboratory and doctor appointments while you are taking Synthroid and additional appointments may be necessary when a change to the dose is made and during the initial starting period. You should avoid performing tasks such as driving; operating heavy machinery or any other dangerous activities until you know what effects this medicine has on you. You should never change or alter the dose of any medication unless you have talked it through with your doctor. It is vital that you notify your doctor or pharmacist before you begin any new medication, even if it is only one brought over the counter.Synthroid may have adverse effects on the fetus in pregnant women and so all women who may be thinking about getting pregnant should weigh up the pros and cons of taking this medicine during pregnancy with their doctor. Also Synthroid is excreted in the breast milk and so general advice at this time is to not breast-feed while on this medication. However it is wise to consult your doctor and discuss all of the options with him or her. Diabetic patients must check their blood glucose levels regularly as Synthroid can affect these levels and you must talk with your doctor before you attempt to alter any diabetic medications. It is important that before you undergo any dental work or surgery of any kind that you let the dentist or doctor know that you are taking this medication. Synthroid may affect the growth of children and your doctor or nurse should record regular growth charts. You must let the laboratory know that you are on this medicine if you undergo any blood tests as Synthroid may affect the results. Elderly or children taking this medicine should exercise caution, as they may be more sensitive to the effects of Synthroid.

Synthroid Side Effects

As is the case with most drugs Synthroid is not without its side effects. One of the things that you may notice when taking this medication is some hair loss within the first few months of taking it. The effect is most often temporary. This may be minor and go away during the course of treatment, however if it does bother you then you must talk to your doctor. Synthroid was prescribed to you, as your doctor believes that the benefits will outweigh the side effects and so it is usual to expect some symptoms. However these symptoms should not cause you major discomfort and if this is the case then please talk to your doctor. You must talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any seizures, irregular or rapid heartbeat, chest pain, changes in weight or appetite, sensitivity to heat, fever, excessive sweating, trembling, leg cramps, changes in menstrual periods, trouble sleeping, irritability, diarrhea, vomiting, nervousness or headache. Fortunately it is uncommon for someone to have an allergic reaction to this medicine, however they do occur and if you notice severe dizziness, a rash, itching, trouble breathing or swelling then you must seek immediate medical attention. If you experience any symptoms that worry you, even if they are not listed above, then it is vital that you talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about it.It is easy for patients to buy quality generic Synthroid or cheap Synthroid from our online pharmacy.